Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($)	Total	Total NeoStem, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Non- Controlling Interest in Subsidiary
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			10,000	8,205,790
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 4,066,480	$ 4,883,909	$ 100	$ 8,206	$ 410,372,049	$ 0	$ (404,788,809)	$ (707,637)	$ (817,429)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(9,793,324)	(9,359,827)					(9,359,827)		(433,497)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				113,287
Share-based compensation	509,550	509,550		$ 113	509,437
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				634,235
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,241,460	3,241,460		$ 634	3,240,826
Change in ownership in subsidiary	0	(66,066)			(66,066)				66,066
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	(1,975,834)	(790,974)	$ 100	$ 8,953	414,056,246	0	(414,148,636)	(707,637)	(1,184,860)
Ending Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2017			10,000	8,953,312
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			10,000	8,205,790
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	4,066,480	4,883,909	$ 100	$ 8,206	410,372,049	0	(404,788,809)	(707,637)	(817,429)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	50,189,786	50,508,069	$ 100	$ 9,484	433,044,209	(27,978)	(381,810,109)	(707,637)	(318,283)
Ending Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2017			10,000	9,483,911
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(4,984,441)	(4,982,579)					(4,982,579)		(1,862)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities	(30,746)	(30,746)				(30,746)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				79,102
Share-based compensation	101,363	101,363		$ 79	101,284
Proceeds from option exercises (in shares)				11,672
Proceeds from option exercises	39,659	39,659		$ 12	39,647
Change in ownership in subsidiary	0	(47,547)			(47,547)				47,547
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 45,315,621	$ 45,588,219	$ 100	$ 9,575	$ 433,137,593	$ (58,724)	$ (386,792,688)	$ (707,637)	$ (272,598)
Ending Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2018			10,000	9,574,685